At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with scientists to manage research grants and ensure financial success.
- Company: Join EMBL-EBI, a leading scientific organisation making global impacts.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid work, and family allowances.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in science and healthcare while advancing your finance career.
- Qualifications: Professional accounting qualifications and 5+ years of relevant experience required.
The predicted salary is between 44340 - 44340 £ per year.
Are you a commercially minded finance professional looking to make a meaningful impact in a world-leading scientific environment? At the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), part of European Molecular Biology Laboratory, we advance scientific discovery through bioinformatics and enable solutions for global challenges such as infectious diseases, food insecurity and loss of biodiversity. With over 1,900 colleagues across six international sites, EMBL is one of the most influential research organisations in the world.
We are seeking two experienced Finance Business Partners to join our collaborative Budget Office team, based at the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge.
Your role:
- Leading the financial management of a portfolio of research grants, from post-award through to reporting
- Collaborate closely with our Group Leaders, supporting their strategic objectives
- Monitor and control project expenditure, ensuring alignment with funding requirements
- Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for grant-awarding bodies
- Conduct quality reviews to ensure compliance with funding rules and internal processes
- Proactively identify financial risks and provide clear, actionable insights
- Support payment distribution across research partners and projects
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, enhancing financial processes and service delivery
- Play a key role in financial systems development, including Workday enhancements and user training
- Build strong relationships across scientific and operational teams, influencing decision-making at multiple levels
You have:
- Professional Accounting Qualifications (ACCA, ICAEW, ACA, CIMA or equivalent)
- University degree in Finance
- Minimum 5 years of experience in a well-regarded medium/large organisation
- Experience of financial/budgetary control and management
- Excellent analytical and organisational skills
- Flexible approach to work and ability to plan, organise and prioritise own workload
- Ability to use own initiative to work proactively and independently often working to deadlines set by others
- Excellent general interpersonal skills, including diplomacy and negotiating skills, with the ability to hold difficult conversations with a variety of different colleagues.
You may also have:
- Experience of working in an international organisation
Benefits and Contract Information:
- Financial incentives: depending on circumstances, monthly family/marriage allowance of £278, monthly child allowance of £336 per child. Non-resident allowance up to £569 (changes if grade 8+) per month. Annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances
- Hybrid working arrangements
- Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)
- Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to eight bank holidays
- Relocation package including installation grant (as applicable)
- Campus life: Free shuttle bus to and from work, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
- Family benefits: On-site nursery, child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances
- Contract duration: This position is a 3 year contract
- Salary: Monthly salary starting at £3695 after tax but excluding pension & insurances + benefits (Total package will be dependent on family circumstances)
- International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions.
- Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL-EBI, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ and individuals from all nationalities.
Job location: This role is based in Hinxton, near Cambridge, UK. You will be required to relocate if you are based overseas and you will receive a generous relocation package to support you.
To apply, please submit a covering letter and CV via our online system. Applications will close on 10/05/2026.
Finance Business Partner in Chelmsford employer: EMBL-EBI
At EMBL-EBI, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative work culture that empowers finance professionals to make a significant impact in the scientific community. Located at the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge, our team enjoys generous benefits including hybrid working arrangements, extensive leave, and a supportive environment for personal and professional growth. Join us to partner with world-class scientists and contribute to groundbreaking research while enjoying a vibrant campus life and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at EMBL-EBI on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the latest projects at EMBL-EBI and think about how your skills as a Finance Business Partner can contribute. We want to see you shine with specific examples!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your soft skills! As a Finance Business Partner, you'll need to collaborate with scientists and other teams. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully navigated tricky conversations in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your cover letter for the Finance Business Partner role. Highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with the responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We want to see your passion for finance and how you can contribute to our mission!
Showcase Your Skills:In your CV, emphasise your professional accounting qualifications and any experience you have in financial management. Use specific examples to demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to manage budgets effectively. We love seeing concrete achievements!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and ensure your language is straightforward. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our online system! It’s the best way for us to receive your materials and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it’s super easy to do—just follow the prompts on our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at EMBL-EBI
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Business Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets in the past. Prepare examples of how you've influenced financial decisions in previous roles.
✨Understand the Science
Since you'll be partnering with scientists, it's crucial to have a grasp of the research projects you'll be supporting. Familiarise yourself with EMBL-EBI's mission and recent breakthroughs. This will help you speak their language and show that you're genuinely interested in their work.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role requires strong interpersonal skills. Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with diverse teams. Highlight any experiences where you've navigated difficult conversations or influenced decision-making across different levels.
✨Prepare for Compliance Questions
Given the importance of compliance in managing grant funding, expect questions about your experience with financial regulations and internal processes. Think of specific instances where you've ensured compliance and how you handled any challenges that arose.
